Sport and Adventure

Soccer Stadiums Every Fan Should Visit

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This year’s MLS season just wrapped up and Portland Timbers became the eleventh team to win the MLS Cup and add deservedly so – Not only because of their great games, but also because of their great fans. In a country where soccer still fights for the public endorsement, the Timbers Army showed just how far one team can be propelled with such excellent support. It is certainly a sight to be seen, but if you cannot wait for the next MLS season to have a great time on the Providence Park, or you simply want to have similar, top-notch soccer experience consider visiting some of these famous stadiums.

Allianz Arena, Berlin

“Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.” Thanks to Bayern München, this famous quote by Gary Lineker, still very much holds the truth. Although some of their fans have to travel more than 120 miles to watch their games, 75,000 seats at Bayern’s home stadium Allianz Arena are almost always filled.

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Camp Nou, Barcelona

FC Barcelona is a soccer behemoth, and its home stadium is equally as imposing. With the capacity of nearly 100,000, Camp Nou is not only the largest stadium in Spain but the entire Europe as well, and Barça’s loyal fans are making sure that every single of those seats counts. All of that amounts to explosive atmosphere during some high-stakes games.

Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro

How can you fit 199,845 people in the stadium with the capacity of 78,838? In order to find the answer you would first have to know that Brazilians live and die for soccer. If you have your own soccer gear, just visit some of the playing fields and make sure for yourself. After you are done, go to Maracanã, watch Flamengo, and witness just how great crowd Brazilians can be.

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Anfield, Liverpool

All English stadiums are great, but we have to point out Anfield as one of the best – if for no other reason, than because of passionate fans. Although current FC Liverpool is the far-cry from the soccer powerhouse it was couple of decades ago, its fans made sure that it is, at least, one of the best-supported clubs in Europe.

San Siro, Milan

A.C. Milan is a European legend, and its rich history was mostly written on San Siro. Now, every opportunity to watch this club live is a privilege on its own, but if you manage to catch the Derby della Madonnina between them, and their city rivals Inter, you can expect 80,000 passionate fans and rabid atmosphere.

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La Bombonera, Buenos Aires

If anyone can match Brazilians, both in skill, and in their love for soccer, that would be their bitter rivals Argentinians. Their most famous stadium La Bombonera, although smaller in capacity than Maracanã, features the same passionate crowd. Wait for the Superclásico derby between Boca Juniors, and River Plate, you will be in for a treat.

Nissan Stadium, Yokohama

Of course, Europeans, and South Americans, are not the only one playing soccer. Japanese are playing too, and Nissan Stadium in Yokohama is a living testament bot to that love, and Japanese professionalism. Well-maintained grass, retractable roof, and enormous screens will put a smile on every soccer fan’s face.

Editor's Picks, Food, Infographic

How People Eat Fries Around The World

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How People Eat Fries Around The World

Whether you consider yourself to be a connoisseur of international cuisine or a microwave maestro with a signature dish you won’t change for anybody, chances are this glance over the diverse world of fries will come as a welcome primer.

Broadly speaking, the art of fry garnishing can be divided into three categories: condiments, additional ingredients, and sauces. It seems that folks at the western end of the Earth prefer a condiment to bring out the flavour, with both the US and Canada opting for a cheesier fry. The Canadians offer a refined dish known as poutine – cheese curds, fries and gravy – while their American counterparts dish up no-nonsense chilli cheese fries. More intriguing still, the Dutch combine peanut sate, mayo and raw onions in a recipe best translated as ‘chips at war’. Sounds irresistible, but I can’t help fear the worst violence will occur when they reach your belly.

To the immediate east of the Netherlands, their German neighbours add bacon, onion and seasoning to their fried potatoes to serve up a winter warmer known as bratkartoffeln. Continue further east, and you’ll find your fries come in the company of a range of esoteric ingredients, from turmeric and chilli powder in India to seaweed, sesame seeds and fish flakes in Japan. What did they do to our junk food?

Sauce-wise, both the Kenyans and the British favour the curry variety, with Kenya’s carefully blended masala sounding even more appealing than the delicious yellow goop to be found in UK chip shops. The Spanish serve fried potato as a tapas dish, under the name of patatas bravas – which, experts agree, is a lovely phrase to say out loud.

With this fine groundwork laid, just three little questions remain: How will you eat yours? Would you have the nerve to ask for peanut sate in a fast food joint? And: is anyone else getting hungry?

how people eat fries around the world

 

Infographic by: Expedia

 

Infographic, Travel Planning, Travel Tips, Travelling with Kids

How To Book The Perfect Accommodation

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How To Book The Perfect Accommodation

Booking a holiday can be an intimidating task, particularly if you’ve taken responsibility for a group to travel together. Needs and tastes can come into conflict, and while internet searches and social trends have widened the options of places to stay, sometimes the choice can be overwhelming. Be it a country cottage or urban hostel, treehouse or penthouse, each comes with its pros and cons, making them dream stays for some – and a nightmare proposition for others.

Help has arrived in the form of this handy flow chart by Wimdu, which breaks down your options by group and by holiday type to suggest the most appropriate category of accommodation, whatever your needs. Travelling alone? Simple. You know your desired level of comfort, your aesthetic values, and the kind of people you want to be around – or to avoid. Taking a romantic break with your S.O.? Decide whether a mellow retreat will rekindle your sense of adventure, or you want to hit the city lights and dance til dawn.

With friends or family, it can be trickier. Pleasing everybody is no mean achievement, and nobody wants to find themselves cooped up with a band of grumpy or unenthusiastic bunkmates. If it’s mates your travelling with, consider what prompted the trip – did the nightlife at home get too sleepy, or are you all in search of some detox and fresh air? If you’ve got kids with you, their needs can take priority. Planning around a fussy eater or an anarchic two-year-old can make the trip smoother for everyone – and tuning in with their current fads can result in an inspiring trip all round.

There’s no shortage of options for the modern holidaymaker searching for somewhere to stay. Whether you know just what kind of break you want or you’re still trying to balance everybody’s preferences, the first step is to point your finger at the top of the chart – and see where it takes you.

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Infographic, Travel Planning, Travel Tips, Travelling with Kids

21 Ways To Beat Travel Sickness

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21 ways to beat travel sickness

So you’ve set out on your travels in search of a tan, a rest, and maybe some adventure. But before you even reach your destination, you find yourself lumbered with pale skin, dizziness and nausea. Of course, you know this feeling from before – it’s the dreaded motion sickness that’s long blighted journeys by road, sea, or air.

Travel sickness is a common condition, though which means friendly advice and folk wisdom abound on the internet. While there’s no universal remedy, there are plenty of effective tips to help you reach your destination before you reach for that paper bag – and with a bit of trial and error, you can soon tailor a travel routine that minimizes suffering.

To start with, you can mount your defences before even leaving home by eating lightly, trying motion sickness tablets or antihistamines, and packing anything that will make the journey more comfortable for you – sucky sweets and gum come highly recommended! During the journey, getting physical can offset the weirdness of travel motion: mindful breathing and a stroll along the deck, aisle or service station forecourt can trick your body into forgetting what’s going on. And try fixing your eyes on the horizon or a distant object – in addition to reducing queasiness, people will think you’re deep in thought and stop pestering you with tiresome observations (okay, that last bit’s my own folk wisdom).

Science isn’t even 100% sure what causes motion sickness – and far less found a cure. But by combining tips from well-wishing travellers who’ve been through the same, you can significantly improve your travel experience. Check out the infographic below by Dive.In: popular solutions from the worldly-wise web have been totted up and cross-referenced to provide a no-nonsense primer for managing the condition – and making it a happy holiday after all.

Travel Sickness

 

Destinations, Editor's Picks, Sport and Adventure, Travel Blogging, Travel Planning, Travel Tips

3 Extreme Sydney Adventures You Can’t Miss

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In the land down under, there is no shortage of things to do. If you’re traveling to the most populated city in this land of extremes, you may be searching for the most extreme experiences to write home about. Here’s a few of the adventure sports Sydney has to offer your starved adrenaline glands.

Shark Dive in Sydney

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This Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary shark dive will take your breath away. Well, not literally, as they do provide oxygen for all divers. But when you dip your toes into the main oceanarium and you see sharks, stingrays, and turtles circling you, you’ll wish everyone could witness you frolicking in this underwater wonderland. At 30 minutes long, this dive may seem short, until you remember you’ll be surrounded by sharks with sharp teeth that might bite you if they weren’t well-fed. After contemplating that, 30 minutes sounds like more than enough time to get a shot with your favorite enormous sea creature.

Jetboat Sydney Harbour

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If you haven’t heard of jetboating, imagine sitting in a boat with your closest family and friends. Now imagine a madman takes the wheel. That’s the gist, and it’s way more fun than it sounds. This boat is designed for maximum speed and maneuverability, so you’ll be getting drenched as your skilled driver makes 180 and 270-degree spins, intense fishtails, turns and powerslides at high speeds. Every now and then, you’ll get a chance to breathe and take in the beautiful sights of Sydney Harbor as well. Just hold on tight!

Canyon in the Blue Mountains

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If you’re looking for a challenging abseiling experience that mashes the thrill of witnessing pristine nature and adrenaline-pumping physical activity, canyoning in the Blue Mountains is for you. You’ll adventure through the highest and deepest of the canyon as you navigate the breathtaking terrain. Trek, climb, jump, swim, and rappel your way through Australia’s most beautiful region to get a personal look at untouched caves and magnificent waterfalls. There’s two difficulties to choose from, so if you aren’t up for the challenging Rainforest Canyoning experience, the beginner-friendly Empress Canyon welcomes you.

There’s plenty to do in Harbour City, but these experiences are guaranteed to get your heart racing and adrenaline pumping. Whether you’re an underwater adventurer, fan of extreme water-sports, or a hiker who enjoys a challenge, you’ll be happy you made it to Sydney.

Travel Blogging

Make the Most Out of Your Travel Photography

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Every trip is special as it is and you want to keep it in your memory forever. One of the most efficient tools to accomplish that is with your camera. Still, sometimes it seems as though all your photography skills cannot capture the impression of the place you have visited, not even nearly. To avoid the feeling of disappointment when you scroll through your vacation images, you will need a few tips on how to take your photographing to the next level. It is not nearly as difficult as you might think. With just a few changes, you will be able to have the most amazing photos. Just follow our lead.

Keep Your Camera Always By Your Side

Being at some entirely different place than your hometown is always exciting and almost any scene you are witnessing can be unique and special. That is why you should always keep your camera or smartphone by your side, so you could snap a shot in a second. Remember to be patient and not to give up, any moment now the ideal scene will come up. Sometimes it takes a couple of hours for the perfect setting and lighting.

Make the Most Out of Your Travel Photography

Think About Composition

You do not have to be professional photographer to think about composition when taking your travel photos. Composition is a way of telling a good story by arranging the visual elements within the frame. One of the most common photography mistakes is not complying with the basic rules of composition. The rule of thirds means that the photo subject is located in the intersection of the lines of a tic-tac-toe grid.

Make the Most Out of Your Travel Photography

Use People as Subjects

Photographs with people can be much more powerful than simple architecture or landscape photos. Not only that a person in the image will give a sense of perspective, but it will also enhance the scale. So the next time you see crowd walking in front of a monument you want to shoot, do not idly wait until they pass by, but capture them in the photo. You will see that the results are much more lively and exciting.

Make the Most Out of Your Travel Photography

Get Creative

Photography is supposed to be fun. Trying your best to make everything perfect will only lead to poor results and dissatisfaction with your images. That is why you should play with different perspectives, shoot from the side, from high above or from down low. Add some dynamic to your photos. Use unusual things as the objects of your photos (an object that someone left behind in a coffee shop, an empty glass on the table, or just click here and find some new ideas from people who like to share their work).

Make the Most Out of Your Travel Photography

Get Close

By placing your camera or smartphone near to the subject/object of the photo, you will add an interesting twist to your vacation album. If you are shooting some water surface you can bring your phone right to the water’s edge you will create a fun reflective effect. When shooting portraits, try to get as close as you can to capture the face expressions and to make the subject sharply focused.

Make the Most Out of Your Travel Photography

Do Not Exaggerate with Editing

Usually, all it takes is a couple of touches to make your picture perfect. You can fix the composition with cropping the frame, enhance saturation for landscape photos and use some fine tuning moves to improve the overall appearance of the photo. If you are a filter-aficionado, try not to overuse them and to use them wisely. Black and white almost never goes well with landscape photos and HDR is not the perfect tool for portraits.

Make the Most Out of Your Travel Photography

At the end relax and enjoy your travel. Never try too hard to get the perfect results. Some of the best photos in the world are made accidentally.

Australia, Destinations, Editor's Picks, Travel Planning, Travel Tips

5 Interesting Places to Visit in Sydney

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With its outstanding skyscrapers towering against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, Sydney, Australia, is considered by many as one of the most beautiful metropolitan areas in the world. Sydney is bustling with life and energy and provides a broad range of attractions and activities in which visitors can indulge when on holiday. Tourists can choose from a variety of options with something to please everyone. Below are five fun things to do in Sydney city:

The Sydney Opera House

Sydney

Sydney boasts one of the world’s most renowned theatres, called the Sydney Opera House. Here, more than 1,000 performances take place on an annual basis. The Opera House, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to multiple stages where performances occur every day of the year. Anyone visiting the city will not want to miss a trip to this outstanding theatre.

The Harbour Bridge

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The Harbour Bridge, which is arguably Australia’s most well-known symbol, is another attraction holidaymakers should place on their must-see list. This one-of-a-kind structure can be used as a viewing platform from where visitors can take in the spectacular landscape that surrounds the bridge. Walking across the famous arch is a popular activity among local residents and holidaymakers alike, and such an experience will never be forgotten.

Shopping and Nightlife

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Sydney is also considered one of the world’s most fashionable cities by numerous designers across the globe. Australian Fashion Week, which is hosted by the city each year, is a favourite event of both consumers and those who own shops, boutiques, discount outlets or other apparel establishments. The city is also well known for its exciting and boisterous nightlife, where something can be found to please all travellers, from trendy nightclubs to traditional restaurants and bars. Kings Crossing and Circular Quay are two of the best areas for nightlife and shopping opportunities in Sydney.

Sydney’s Darling Quarter

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The Darling Quarter should not be overlooked by any Sydney visitor, as a trip to this interesting and beautiful area is sure to be an intriguing experience. Sydney’s Darling Quarter is a new and vibrant community created by local builders and architects. It features beautifully designed buildings in contemporary style, as well as green open spaces, a vast array of cafés and bars, a wide selection of eateries featuring cuisine from around the world, and numerous children’s playgrounds and recreational areas.

The Rocks

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Situated in the Circular Quay area is the city’s oldest and most beautiful colonial district. Often referred to by local residents as “The Rocks,” this part of the city is home to numerous pubs, shops, restaurants, art galleries and even a small museum. Settled at the end of the 18th century, The Rocks is a terrific starting point from which holidaymakers can begin a day of sightseeing and shopping.

With all the fun things to do in Sydney city, it is easy to find something to please any type of traveller. For this reason, a sojourn in this lovely and engaging Metropolis is guaranteed to be a one-of-a-kind experience.

Asia, Destinations

Guide to Thailand: 5 Famous Cities to Visit in Thailand

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Thailand has been an appealing place to visit for many years. Annually, around 30 million tourists visit this country. Many newcomers are astounded by its natural beauty and exotic culture.

When it comes to “Thailand where to visit” is among the top questions. Here we present the top 5 places you must visit in Thailand to really get to know this Southeast Asian nation.

The North: Chiang Mai

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Chiang Mai has been gaining in popularity in recent years. It is an alternative to Thai beaches as it is surrounded by scenic mountains and beautiful forests. It is not as hot as in the south, but the climate is warm and pleasant.

Chiang Mai also has many cultural attraction, including temples. Traveling to Chiang Mai is easy and inexpensive from other locations in the region, especially when it comes to getting there by bus.

The Center: Bangkok and Pattaya

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Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. Those seeking nightlife will not be disappointed. In addition to partying, there are many world-class cultural spots to visit such as Grand Palace, Wat Pho, or Lumphini Park.

Another great attraction is to take a boat ride through Bangkok’s canals and see how the locals live. A truly amazing experience.

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Near to Bangkok, there’s a beautiful seaside town of Pattaya. It offers beautiful beaches and opportunities to party or relax. It’s proximity to the capital makes it a magnet for tourists and capital’s residents.

The South: Phuket and Krabi

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Phuket is an island located in the south of Thailand. It is one of the most famous places for beach vacations in the region. There are many other things to do, such as going on island hopping, snorkeling, or scuba diving.

Many visitors to Phuket go to see Phi Phi Islands with amazingly-shaped islands sticking out of the sea. The James Bond Island is also nearby.

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Right across from Phuket, on the mainland, is the town of Krabi. For some, it is good alternative to Phuket. One of the biggest attractions nearby is the Railay Beach, a short boat ride away. Rock climbing fans like to visit this spot for some amazing adventures.

Thailand is a truly amazing country. A great place to relax or party, or do both.

Many newcomers like to ask: How cheap is it to live in Thailand? you can check this post to find out.  It all depends on where you go, but it is definitely cheaper than in most Western countries.

Australia

Going from Tourist to Expat in Australia

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To really feel what is the life like at some place, you need to stay a bit longer than those two weeks of vacation. When you stay somewhere over a month or two, you start paying the bills and even looking for some part time job, you are seriously getting closer to the title of expat. If you are about to stay in Australia for this amount of time, here are some great and useful tips that you will definitely benefit from.

Going from Tourist to Expat in Australia

Finding Suitable Accommodation

If your stay is about to be closer to two months than just two weeks, you need to make sure that you avoid hotels and even hostels. That would be too expensive for you. You need to choose cheaper options. One of the ways to do this is to register at AirBnB and benefit from longer stay discounts, or find some similar localized websites. The price is usually negotiable. Another option is house sitting, and this is the best deal you can make, if you make it – it is a bit hard to get on house-sitting waiting lists. People from Australia who also love to travel, sometimes hire people to stay at their homes. To avoid extra fees when paying, do your best to pay your rent on time and do it online if possible.

Going from Tourist to Expat in Australia

Planning Your Budget

It makes a really big difference if you are in one of the big cities or in a smaller one. Obviously, the bigger cities have higher living costs, but trying to live in a small town in Australia is quite specific. They are smaller than what you would expect from a small town in USA. Their population is measured in hundreds. Australia is very oriented toward cities and the life is more comfortable there. Therefore, if you want to be comfortable in Australia, you have to be prepared to spend from $50 to $100 on electricity, around $150 on groceries, $30 to $60 on Internet. These costs may vary significantly, but that is the rough budget.

Going from Tourist to Expat in Australia

Getting Around

You can always print out your own maps and visit famous sights on your own if you prepare well. However, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne are well covered on Travelfore. Wherever you plan to go, check the Grayhound buses, but always check the flights, as well. At times, the difference in price will not be that great. Saturday afternoons and Tuesdays are the cheapest days to fly. Always use CouchSurfing or similar websites to find people to share taxi fares or simply to show you around. It will give you the best insight into the city you are visiting.

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Getting Involved

The best way to understand how people think and how things work at a new place is to try and participate in the community events. History walks and classes, dance lessons, meditation sessions and many more can be found for free. Visiting free courses can help a lot with getting involved in everyday life of your city without spending money.

The last but not the least – drinking in Australia will cost you a fortune. You should focus on getting to know this country’s people and sights without enjoying local wine and beer too much. There is no cheap way of doing this.

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